Gulf Spices – Ibzar

by

Nadia Asif

-

February 7, 2018

There is something magical about freshly ground spices at home. Ibzar – famously known as Gulf Spices – completes the Arabian cuisine. Ibzar is a fresh blend of several spices that give it a complex combination of flavor and aroma. While it is intensely aromatic, it isn’t spicy or overpowering. It has a deep, smoky flavor and an earthy essence which etches the personality of your dish – the personality of the Arabian Gulf.

Ingredients: (Yields about 3 cups Ibzar)

1/2 cup whole black peppercorns

1/2 cup cumin seeds

1/2 cup coriander seeds

2 whole nutmegs

4 cinnamon sticks

1/4 cup cloves

1/4 cup ginger powder

1/4 cup green cardamoms

1/3 cup dried red chilies – about 10 – 15

1/4 cup turmeric powder

Remove the shell from the nutmegs. Grind all the ingredients together and sift the mixture to remove the shells or any unground spices. Store in an airtight jar.